Summative Entry

Summative Entry

This unit has enabled me to reflect on the similarities and differences between human experience in the 19th and 21st centuries.

At first, I did not think that we could compare the two centries, yet I am sure the two are the same as I sit writing this blog. The way things are done then and now are different, and we have advanced in so many ways, but the values are the same. The classes, the haves and have nots, from the 19^th century have changed to racism today. So nothing has changed. We are still trying to get equality for women, and many women have stood up against the male population to say we have rights.

When I first read Mary Wollstonecraft, I was amazed at how she could fit in today’s society with her views about women. The paragraph we read in class inspired me as a woman, and I  felt proud this strong woman could stand up for what she believed in. Mary’s words have stayed in my mind, and I have told my granddaughters about her. Hopefully, we will sit and read her book, A Vindication of the Rights of Women, together.https://nannieseven.home.blog/2021/03/17/mary-wollstonecraft/

I loved listening to the poems of William Wordsworth and how nature is a  big part of them. I believe everyone needs to be out in nature more as we all spend too much time on technology today. As we walked through the Art Gallery looking at all the beautiful works of art, one stood out to me, and I would love a copy to hang at home. The Solitude is gorgeous and a place I could sit for hours reading. We all need to listen to Wordsworth’s poems and get outside and see the rainbows before they fade away. https://nannieseven.home.blog/2021/04/16/my-solitude/

We can all sit and read books about nature and other countries, which is excellent. Instead of closing a book and walking away, take the book out and find the things it talks about. In the Nineties, my daughter did a project of our outback. After three weeks of getting all the information and putting it together, we all sat and talked about the fun she had doing this. Inspired by this, we planned a camping trip through the Australian outback. We started in Cairns, boarded the bus and for four weeks slept under the stars going through Northern Queensland, Northern Territory, down the Red Centre and South Australia. Watching Pandemonium with William and Dorothy on their walking tours, this trip came to mind.

There were many times during the classes I saw the many differences and similarities between the two centuries. I have enjoyed my time listening to the poem and books, learning about the authors. I must say my favorite poem is Frost at Midnight By S.T. Coleridge. The image of him holding his son and looking at the moon will be with me always.